Rory McKenzie turned in a man of the match performance against the Saints last week and skill from teammate Craig Slater saw the East Stand at Rugby Park erupt in delight.

McKenzie and Slater are two of the longest serving players at the club – despite both only being just 21.

Locke believes it’s a massive campaign for some of the young players at the club and he’s hopeful they can go on to be big players in the top flight.

He said: “I don’t like to single anyone out but it’s a big season for some of the young players here.

“They’ve got to make themselves into established first team players and Rory and Craig performed like that on Saturday.”

Killie face Hamilton this weekend as they bid to make it three league wins on the bounce. Locke added: “Hamilton is a big game for us, it’s another home game and we want to get another win at Rugby Park to keep the momentum going.”

Kilmarnock also completed the signing of Mark Ridgers on an emergency loan deal on Tuesday afternoon.

He told the club’s official website: “It was a bit of a whirlwind- I am really pleased to have joined Killie and to get the opportunity to play in the Scottish Premiership again.”

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